Fazil Iskander passes away

Famous Soviet and Russian writer Fazil Iskander passed away today at 11:30 AM in his country house in Peredelkino.

"He led an active lifestyle up to the last moment and there were no signs of trouble," his wife said.

According to Iskander's relatives, he died in his sleep.

His family also informed that he wanted to be buried at the Peredelkino cemetery in Moscow region.

Fazil Abdulovich Iskander was born on March 6, 1929, in the city of Sukhumi. In 1954 he graduated from Gorky Literary Institute. The first book of poems ‘Mountain Trails’ was published in Sukhumi in 1957, it was published for the first time in ‘Yunost’’ [“Youth”] magazine in late 1950s.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the family of the writer, and all the admirers of his works.

Condolences were also expressed by Spokesperson of State Duma Sergey Naryshkin. ‘‘It is extremely sad news: Fazil Iskander is a unique, wise and generous writer who left impact both in his works and social life,’’ the statement posted on the website of the State Duma informs.

The Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky said that Fazil Iskander’s works are full of love for life and his native land.

"Fazil Iskander has passed away. He made a great contribution to the development of the Russian literature and left behind him a lot bright and memorable works. His stories, novels, poems immerse in the unique and original world that fascinates readers with richness of colors. It is full of love for life to his native land and the common people,’’ RIA Novosti cites the text of the telegram of condolence.